Hey, I am\was a prime (PSD) student. First let me start by saying PRIME was incredible. Only got to see the campus inn facility ( not the famed millennium building ). I got to try the cafeteria 3 meals per day. Most people gotctheir food, and had enough to "buy" additional items. Extra orange juice, soda, deserts etc... The food quality is higher than you'd expect. Next door (200 feet away) is the fire n I've restaurant ( free delivery) filet minion burger, wild mushroom pasta dish. It's a high end restaurant. You get 25% off being a prime student.

They also have simulators, these are great machines. It's a 95% perfect simulation of driving a truck ( shifting is a little forgiving, as their are no gears to actually gears to grind) All the instructors, staff, and students were very helpful and went beyond what you'd expect to make sure the students were well taken care of. If your considering a company sponsored program choose PRIME.

NOW FOR MY PROBLEM.

I was admitted to program, and excelled at everything put in front of me ( used to drive a small box truck for a guy that had 6 tractor trailers) we came to my file review. I have 1 accident in the past 3 years, no other moving violations. During 2013-2015 I had a few speeding tickets, more recently (2015 side) had a few expired tags, no insurance (temporarily), a driving while license revoked ( was changed in court to noise ordinance violation). I had failed to appear for a seatbelt ticket=license revoked=FTA warrant=jail (post bond) =noise violation.

I was told Prime wanted 1 year of showing I could "take care of my license" .
I had a 20 mph rear end accident, after leaving a stop light in Florida 11\16

Local small companies, won't train because of recent accident. (Also swift rejected me because of accident)
Large companies, prime , won't take because of non_moving violations.

I don't want to get screwed into driving for less than 30cpm, for a year, heading west\north into winds\storms. Weather delays+being new+low rpm.
I can get a job paying 10.00_14.00 per hour next week, easily. Don't want to risk my life or driving record, to earn below average $

What would you do in my position ? Seek alternate trucking job, or take a "regular job" and wait the year out (365 days from this posting)

Thankyou in advance !

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

PSD:

Prime Student Driver

Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.

The following is from Prime's website:

Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.

I don't think any training company would take you. I know a guy that paid a private school to get his license and the only company that would hire him for a careless driving was Carolina cargo. but work there a year clean and you can go anywhere

I'm thinking a big problem is the revoked license. But then the November accident didn't help.

I cant make decisions for you and only you know your personal family and financial situation. Me personally, I love trucking so much, I'd go ahead and get started wherever I could and get that year of experience so you can move on to a more desirable situation. But if you have family at home and pressing financial obligations, I'd go get that non trucking job for a year, making sure to stay out of trouble with no tickets or accidents then see who will accept you.

That is a pretty messy driving record. (To put it politely). You are going to have a tough time getting ANYONE to hire you in my opinion. I would recommend learning to drive responsibly and by the rules for several years. I'm actually surprised anyone will insure you for your own private vehicle. Must cost you a small fortune! Good luck!

What would you do in my position ? Seek alternate trucking job, or take a "regular job" and wait the year out (365 days from this posting)

Hayden...good grief Man, this is truck driving. "Driving"..."Safely and Responsibly" is what you need to focus on. Your license is a hot-mess and a reflection of doing just the opposite. Really surprised you made it as far as you did. Prime already gave you the best advice possible; "take care of your license for 12 months" and then re-apply. The company Mr. M suggested, Carolina Cargo? Not sure if they would be interested, but worth a try. However you will be making low 30cpm with them.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

Surprised Prime even brought you in for orientation with a track record like that.

And the sad part is - seeing if you can keep your nose clean for a year - is likely going to be the best option for you.

I used to get my fair share of moving violations, back 6 years ago before I got my CDL. It was all good - I had THE BEST ticket attorney in town (17/18 dismissals - Michael Holden R.I.P.) - when I got my CDL , I realized even beating tickets wasn't going to cut it anymore. I had to change MY MINDSET when it came to how I think/behave behind the wheel - ANY WHEEL 2/4/18.

Cleaned my THINKING UP - and I stopped getting tickets. Your CLEAN LICENSE is your LIFEBLOOD in this industry.

Even if you get a company to hire you right now - if you don't CHANGE THEY WAY YOU THINK behind the wheel - you're not going to progress to the point where you will ever have a clean enough license to be considered for a "step up" employer.

Rick

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.

Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

I don't have as much on my record as you do, Hayden, but I strongly echo want Rick said. You've gotta fix that mindset. Protect that license because that is your profession, that is your livelihood. It's not a fun thing to do on the side you can just pick up whenever.

Just wanted to point out that Maverick is not a 2nd chance company. They will go through your application throughly and even call your references. The cpm isn't low either. Just sayin. Anyway, all you can really do at this point is drive safely for a while and apply like crazy.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

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